February 2021
Newsletter
-45th Annual-
Chamber Walleye Fishing Tournament
June 25-27, 2021
Graham's Island State Park
It's time... REGISTER NOW
Earlybird Registration ENDS March 31, 2021

Turn in your tournament registration before 3.31.21 for your chance to win your tournament application fee back for the 2021 tournament!

  • 125 Teams
  • $275 per team
  • Over $50,000 in cash, prizes and donations!
Click to download the Official 2021 Rules and Application
Visit our Chamber Walleye Tournament website for more information!
North Dakota Industry Updates
Did you know...
Data suggests North Dakota is a preferred family destination.
The effect of COVID-19 on travel and tourism has been staggering, but things have begun turning around, albeit slowly, and should continue to do so.
North Dakota remains a preferred destination for families looking for a safe and affordable road trip option. The state is primarily a drive-to market with 80-90% of visitation arriving by automobile. And travel site KAYAK predicts travel will return to as much as 80% of normal in 2022.
 
Word about North Dakota is spreading. NDtourism.com saw visitation up 36% year-over-year in January after rising 51% in 2020. Tourism's first winter campaign has produced 1.1 million video completions, 70,128 Facebook people reached and more than 1,000 YouTube-to-website conversions.
Sen. Kevin Cramer co-sponsors Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2020.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-New Mexico) have introduced legislation to address ongoing COVID-19 impacts on the travel and tourism industry through the Hospitality and Commerce Jobs Recovery Act of 2020.
 
S.4807 establishes new tax credits and revises existing credits and deductions to protect the hospitality and restaurant industries. Specifically, the bill allows a convention and trade show restart tax credit for (1) the costs of participation in a convention, seminar or similar meeting, a business meeting or a trade show that takes place after 2020; and (2) the costs of reopening an entertainment facility closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also allows a business-related tax credit for the costs of reopening restaurants or food service businesses forced to close down or reduce operations due to COVID-19.
 
The bill modifies and increases the rate of the tax credit for the retention of employees for an employer whose business has been affected by a disaster or public health emergency. It also repeals the increased limitations on the tax deduction for meals and entertainment expenses enacted in 2017.
Finally, the bill allows individual taxpayers a new tax credit up to $1,500 for a household for travel expenses relating to entertainment activities occurring in the United States between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2023.
 
“While the economy is on its way to recovery, several businesses and workers are still hurting and in need of assistance. Our bill injects help into some of the hardest hit industries and encourages them to hire and retain employees.” - Sen. Kevin Cramer

S.4807 has been heard twice and referred to the committee on Finance.
What a weekend!
Shiverfest 2021 was one for the books.

Beginning Friday evening with the first ever outdoor family dance party at Bridgestone Park, families gathered to dance, sled, make s'mores and Shiver away with friends. In addition, on Friday evening, adults were able to explore downtown Devils Lake and participate in the first ever Pub + Retail Crawl. A fun evening was had by all, and Devils Lake looks forward to kicking Shiverfest off this way again in 2022!

Saturday was a day full of activity across the community! Some participated in Snowga, the Frozen Fanny 5K or sledding out at Creel Bay Golf Course, while others stayed warm inside the Creel Bay Golf Course Club House and shopped the Winter Wonderland Vendor Show.

Across the pond at Woodland Resort, a record number of youth participated in the Youth Ice Fishing Tournament. 304 future (and non-future!) anglers took to the ice to test their skill as they fished for the largest Walleye, Perch and Northern Pike. Unfortunately, no luck was had when it came to fishing, but, per word of mouth, many of our anglers 'lost their bite'. Better luck next year!
Fortunately, we were still able to draw for prizes and put some smiles on the faces of our participants.

We know ice fishing isn't for everyone, so activities such as pond hockey, ice skating, s'more and hot cocoa by Proz Lakeside at the Cove fire pits were available, too! The Lake Region Curling Club also hosted its first ever, 'Learn to Curl' event, which was held in two sessions; an afternoon and an evening session. A huge success, LRCC looks forward to hosting the event again in the future. Look out curlers, there's some fresh competition on the forefront!

To wrap up a fun-filled day, The Devils Lake Optimist Club once again had a successful steak and burger feed at Proz Lakeside, selling near 150 tickets! With full stomachs, many around the city found themselves engrossed in the 22 minute long fireworks display that really topped off the day.
Wow, impressive work, Kale Stromme!

All in all, Shiverfest once again was a huge success for many. It is an event that we, at the Chamber, enjoy planning together, planning with other businesses, sharing the fun and love amongst the community year after year.

Cheers to Shiverfest 2021, and on to Shiverfest 2022!
Visit our Shiverfest webpage for more photos of Shiverfest 2021!
Join us, along with Greater North Dakota Chamber's Director of Government Affairs, Matt Gardner, as we discuss
Legislative Updates from the State of North Dakota.

Greater North Dakota Chamber's full time lobbyist and Director of Government Affairs, Matt Gardner, will be presenting on Legislative Updates from the state.

In the hallways of the capitol himself, Matt works to monitor potential legislation for the impacts on the state's business climate. During this webinar, Matt will be giving legislative updates on bills that have been introduced, their current status (passed/failed) and their potential impacts to businesses.

At the end of the update, time will be allotted for members to ask questions for clarification and/or involvement.
Legislative Updates
Thursday, March 11, 2021
9:00 a.m.
Virtual - Zoom Meeting


Chamber Members - Free
Non Chamber Members - $25


Email or call Rachel TODAY to reserve your spot!
In Case you Missed It...

-Grow with Google-
Free Marketing and Google MUSTS!
February 18, 2021 with Julie Obrigewitsch

Click here to view the video and slide deck!
open_door_hanger.jpg


Motor Vehicle Department Updates:
The Devils Lake Motor Vehicle Department continues to be open by same day appointment (walk-in) or pre-scheduled appointment. If you are in need of registrations, updated vehicle tabs, or other services from the Motor Vehicle Department, please call to schedule an appointment or visit our office today!
For more information, check out the North Dakota Department of Transportation website.

**Please note: Closed 12:00p - 1:00p Monday - Friday**
💡 Membership Updates 💡
REMINDER!
RENEW your Chamber Membership for 2021

Payment plans ARE available!

Please contact Paula with any Chamber Membership specific questions.

Welcome!
Our newest Chamber Members

Lake Region Dock & Lift

Mick Thompson
2447 Hwy 52 Harvey, ND 58341
701-341-0203
www.lakeregiondockandlift.com




Center Stage Videos
In the summer of 2019, we started a new video series for the Chamber called Center Stage Videos, these short stories feature our Chamber members, giving them an opportunity to share their story. Check out the following Center Stage Videos below to find out more on our Chamber Members!
Click here
to view more Center Stage Videos on our Chamber YouTube page!
Itchin for [ice]Fishin?
Catch the most recent fishing update here!

Did you know....

You can advertise your business in this newsletter? Contact Paula today!